IRELAND The Emerald Island TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND DANCE

TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS Button accordion Uilleann pipes Irish flute Corcertina Fiddle Tin whistle Banjo Irish harp Bodhrán drum

Traditional Irish music is very popular at present. You can listen to it in many Irish pubs, both in Ireland or in the USA (where there are many people whose ancestors came from Ireland). TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC

A CÉILÍ (an Irish dancing fest) The ancient Celts met in social fests where they told stories, sang songs, etc. These ancient meetings are the origin of the Scottish Céilidh and the Irish Céilí, as both Scotland and Ireland have Celtic traditions. A Ceilí is a social evening meeting of people, a party with traditional Irish music and dances. Sometimes, they also organise a Céilí to celebrate a wedding.

TRADITIONAL DANCE Step dancing (soft shoe) Tap dancing (hard shoe) Irish dancing is based on rapid leg and foot movements, while body and arms are kept largely stationary.

FAMOUS IRISH DANCERS Riverdance began as a 7- minute halftime performance at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin. Their dances reflect the Irish story, specially the Irish immigration to America. They have become one of the most celebrated Irish Dance shows. At present, they give performances in Ireland and the USA. They are making Irish Dance become trendy all over the world.

IRISH DANCE IN THE WORLD There are many Irish Dance Companies and Schools in Ireland. Irish Dance Companies and Schools are also common in countries where many people with Irish origins live, such as the USA and Australia. There are some Irish Dance Companies in our country. One of them is Delorgan (the word means “footprint” in ancient Irish Gaelic). Delorgan is the company which have come to organise our Irish Fest.